(19)

(11)

EP 2 021 671 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 12.06.2008 (43) Date of publication: 11.02.2009 Bulletin 2009/07 (21) Application number: 07732723.7 (22) Date of filing: 08.05.2007

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  F16L 11/15(2006.01) B29D 23/18(2006.01) F16L 11/20(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/GB2007/001695 (87) International publication number: WO 2007/129096 (15.11.2007 Gazette 2007/46)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL BA HR MK RS (30) Priority: 08.05.2006 GB 0609081 08.05.2006 GB 0609083 (71) Applicant: BHP Billiton Innovation Pty Ltd Melbourne, Victoria 3000 (AU)	(72) Inventors: WITZ, Joel Aron Surrey RH5 5DS (GB) COX, David Hertfordshire SG14 ILE (GB) HALL, Gerard Anthony Cheshire CH66 1TG (GB) SMITH, Richard London WC1E 7JN (GB) (74) Representative: Curtis, Philip Anthony  A A Thornton & Co Chemical 235 High Holborn London WC1V 7LE London WC1V 7LE (GB)